Headrest



Aug. 4, 1931. A. J. MAY

HEADREST Filed Dec. 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a a0 1 52m Z g INVENTOR 1m Jig-12 Patented Aug. 4, 1931 PAT? V ADAM J. MAY, or ROCHESTER,.NEW YORK, SSIGNQRQTOBITTER DENTAL MANUFAC- .TURING .C;O1VLPA1\TY,,I1\TC., or ROCHESTER, :NEW YQR-K, A GQRPORATIQN 0E DEL-A- \WARE HEAIDREST The;present invention relates-to a supportlng structure,-such for example, as ahead rest adapted for. useiwltlr. dentah-surgical and other typesoi-chairs, a-nd'has "for its object to provide improved apparatus of this class embodying a novel and advantageous arra'ngement of parts affording 'a' simple construction and :one which is convenient to operate an'd-efiective in service. r

A further-obj ect ofthe' invention is to pro- .vide inapparatus 0f the presenttypeim proved adjusting and locking means for the several.connectionsand supporting members of .the structure, in addition -to improved means .forztemporarilyholding said parts in predeterminedpositionsof adjustment.

To these and other ends ;the I invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of p arts all as war be hereinafter more fully described, the novel :features being pointed out in'the "claims at the endof the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. -1 is a .rear elevation of achea d rest structure, illustrating. one embodiment ofthe invention;

Fig. 2 isra side elevation ofthe same;

Fig. 3 isan'enlargedsectional elevation taken on line'8a3a of Fig.1, showing "the clamping means for lthe several head rest sections adjusted to service position;

Fig.4 is a similar view withthec'lamping means shownin release position Fig. isea transversesection taken on line jrstableihead rest structure,-is not'intended to he limited *to this particular usage, as -it can be readily employed fo-n-a'dju-s'tsibly-supporting various articles as will beunderstood upon consideration of the construction shown inthe drawings. 'This-arrangement embodies generally a bracket'or standard '10, a supporting arm or meniberIl and aninterposed-column or connection 12. The arm gical or other 'typeo'fchair, not-shown, and

is preferably arranged to be slidably placed in guideways thereon. Thebrac -ket lO car ries an arm 18extending upwardlyandtermin-ating in a horizontally disposed pivot member 19,upon'whic'h=the column 12 is 'arranged to swing 110 different positions or adjustment. The lower end of the arm 11 terminates'in a horizontally disposed .pivot member "20 journalled in the upper end or the column 12. Fheopposite ends of the column are split to form upper and lower clamping jaws '21 and 22 respectively for holding the column an'd the arm llthereon in'the desired positions of adjustment. The column hasa bore orrecessedportion 28 in whichis disposed-'a'clamping bolt 24. The lower end of the bolt is'th-readed to receive a nut 25-projecting within an opening [formed in the clamping'ja'w'22 in alinement with the bore 23 ofthe'column. The column has a recess 26inwhich'is disposed aspring 27, the lower end of which engages the nut25 and the'gupper end an abutment of the column, Fig. 4, 'The upper end of the clamping bolt is disposed within a recess 29 or the :column and pivotally connected with the bolt at 30 is a link 31 extending upwardly through .an opening in the clamping jaw 21. :An operatingllever 32 is provided 'ztor thelink and is arranged to "form therewith a;toggle connection for exertin pressure upon the clamping jaws or mem ers 21 and 22 to simultaneously urge them ,to clamping position upon thepivot members 20 and 19 respectively. The upper end of the lever is enlarged and provided with spaced side portions 33 forming a recess for the outer end of the link which is connected with the lever by a pivot pin 34, the ends of which are supported by the side portions, as indicated in Fig. 7. The upper end of the lever is disposed between upstanding lugs 35 on the clamping member 21 and a pin 36 forms a pivotal support for the lever, the opposite ends of the pin being supported by the lugs. The link is provided with an opening 37 through which the pin 36 extends, the opening being large enough to permit the link to swing between its extreme positions, indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. In Fig. 3, the lever is shown in the position to which it is. moved to render the toggle effective by moving the pin 34 to the dead center point, at which it is held under the resistance of the spring 27 which serves to maintain the parts in operating position. In this position, the clamping jaws of the co umn 12 will be urged into engagement with the pivot members 19 and 20, whereby the arm 11 and column 12 will be firmly held in the desired positions of adjustment. When the lever 32 is swung to release position, the bolt 24 will move longitudinally in its bore, at which time the nut 25 will slide within the clamping aw 22 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4, and the spring 27 will hold the parts in release position.

The nut, after having been properly adjusted to afford the necessary clamping action between the adjustable connections when moving the lever to the position shown in Fig. 3, is locked in position upon the bolt by a locking plate 38'removably secured by a screw 39 threaded into the end of the bolt 24. The plate is provided with a tongue 40 engaging a flattened portion 41 of the nut whereby the plate is prevented from turning upon the nut. The tongue 40 projects within a recessed portion 42 of the clamping jaw 22 and is prevented from turning therein through engagement with the side walls thereof. The nut may be adjusted upon the bolt whenever required after first removing the locking plate, which is subsequently replaced to hold the nut in adjusted position.

Means is provided for temporarily holding the arm 11 and the column 12 in normal position when the clamping means therefor is released. This means serves to prevent dropping of the parts from said normal position upon loosening the clamping means, thereby avoiding possible injury to the operators hand or arms through striking 01" the same by said parts, should they swing under the influence of gravity from a high to a low position. The devices employed fr this purpose are the same both for supporting the column 12 and the arm 11 so that a description of one will suffice for both. The holding means is best illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. In Fig. 8, the pivot member 20 of the arm 11 carries a retaining plate 43 se cured to the pivot member by a screw 44. Dowel pins 45 are carried by the pivot memher and project into recesses formed in the retaining plate to insure turning of the latter upon rotation of the arm 11. The retaining plate adjacent its peripheral edge carries an outwardly projecting holder 46 in which is guided a detent in the form of a plunger 47 having an enlarged inner end portion 48 adapted to normally project into a recess 49 of the column 12 in which it is held by a spring 50 disposed within the holder 46. The spring pressed plunger prevents the arm 11 from dropping under the influence of gravity upon releasing the clamping means operated by the lever 32. Should it be desired to adjust the arm 11 to other than normal position from time to time whereby to adjust it under different conditions of usage, the operator can readily grip the arm and swing it about its axis to the desired position, at which time the rounded inner end 48 of the plunger will move out of the recess 49 and the outer end of the plunger will at the same time be projected through the outer end of the holder 46. The arm 11 will then be clamped in position by swinging the lever 32 to the position shown in Fig. 3. In this or any other but normal position the end of the plunger projecting from the holder 46 will serve as an indicator to remind the operator to first grip the arm before releasing the clamping means in order to prevent its dropping to a lower position, thereby preventing any possible injury either to the operator, or to the patient within the chair or any injury to the parts by the striking of one against the other. Furthermore, when the plunger does not project beyond the holder 46, this fact will be an indication to the operator that the head rest is in normal position.

The same is true with regard to the holder 12 upon the pivot member 19 of the bracket arm 18. In this case, however, the pivot member 19 and retaining plate 43 are fixed and the column 12 is rotated relative thereto, but the principle is the same and the plunger 47 will function to indicate to the operator whether or not the column is in normal position. By the term normal position is meant the position at which it is preferred to maintain the head rest pads under normal conditions of usage. It will be understood, however, that the parts may be adjusted and firmly clamped in position through the action of the toggle mechanism in any desired position other than the normal position shown.

It will also be understood that when the toggle is moved to release position for the purpose of adjusting the arm 11 upon the Iinc luding relatively movable parts :and a nnivyras tive to the other and havinga part 'for'holding I it 1 in fixed relation-thereon and means on one of said members for operating said holding part comprising a toggle' arrangement hand controlled element for effecting operation and release of the holding =part, said element being pivoted at one point-upon said last mentioned memberand pivotallyreceive ing' -at a different point'oneof said relatively 'mov-ableparts. v

2. In ahead rest supporting structure,the combination of a pair of supporting :members, one of which is arranged to swingxrelaitive "to the other and having a part ime "clamping it in fixed relation thereon andtog- :gle means on one ofsaid members comprising "a lever pivoted thereon and interengaging "connections extending longitudinally of the r llast mentioned member 'between the lever and clamping part for actuating the lat'ter, one "of 'said connections-'pivotally engaging said lever at a point spaced fromthat a-twhich it is 'pivotally "connected with "said last mentioned member.

'3. -In ahead-rest supportingstructure;the *combinationof a pair ofsupporting members, one of which'is movable-relative to 'the otherand having art for holding: it in fixed relation thereon and actuating uneans for saidpart comprising elements extending longitudinally-of one of said supporting members; said elements being connected eat their inner ends,one-ofsaid elements having its outer end operatively connected with said "holding part and a 1 lever pivoted upon said "last mentioned supporting member at one point and also pivotally connected 1 with the other of said elements at its'outerrend'where 'byto exert'a pull upon saidelements :to-efleet combination of :a -:pair :of ssupporting :mem-

:bers, one of whiclnis=arrangedztosswing'rela- 'tive to the: other. and having. a part-for? holding-it: in 'fixedf'relation thereon; meanston :one

'of said members ifor operating'said:holding part comprising ,-.a toggle :aarnangement Jineluding a hand controlled lever xforrefiecting operation and release o'frthe holding. part, :one of said supporting: members 1 having a recess ttherein and a' spring pressediplunger carried by the other of said members arranged' to' take =intosaid recess to h0ld5said .members in a predetermined relationship. 7

*6. In :a! head rest supporting. structurefthe combinationrof a :pair of supporting'niem- "hers; one of Which is arranged: to swing rrela- -tive 'to 'th'e other an'd'having. a par.t?for "holding it up'on'theilatter in differentrpositionsof adjustment, means on if one of J said :members for 'operating said holding 'partecomprising a Eto'ggle arrangement including? a 7 hand controlled rnember for effecting 1 operation :and =release of the 'holding part, one: of sai disupporting members having a recess therein, a

'guidesecuredupon the other OiE Said members "for "movement therewith, a spring pressed plunger 'slida bly mounte'druponitherguider ar ranged to take :into said 1 recess whereby 1 to V :maintain said meinbers :in a :predetermined relationship when rsaid holding part :is -1noved to release position'; said2plunger: serving 738 means to :indicate when rthe supporting rmen'ibers are in isaid prede'termine'd relationship.

7. In ahead rest: supportingstructurefthe combination rot 5 a a p-air of supporting mem- 'bers,,- a "tubular 1 connection i between :the same acljustabl'e :retative .to :said rmembers, isaid tag connection having :at :its -:opposite. :endsclampi-ngparts :movable one toward? another and operating fto' secure it indifi'erent "positions of: ustment withtrespect 'to isaid'supporting members, andito ggle means-compris- I ing relatively: movableipartsr disposed within said tubular connectionrone of which is con- '-nected with one i of the a clamping parts .van'd r the other extending fromithe connection and "an operating element gpivotally; engaging :an-

otherz'of' said parts and I mounted to swing upon said connection.

=8. Inu'ahea d rest supporting-structure, the

combination: ofa: pairof supporting members, a connection between the s same adjustable -rlative:toeachrof said rmembers, said con nection having end clamping "parts'at its'op posi'te extremities by 'wliich to secure it in different :pOSitl'OIlS of adjustment with re- 'spect to "said supporting z rnenibers, -a lever :pivoted directly upon one of said Iendclamp- -ingpart-s, *andm'eans arrangedtitobeoperated -b y :the lever 'to move saidparts simultaneous- ?lyrto'clamping position, said'meansi including aanelement pivota'lly connected with-"the lever.

I 9. In: a head rest supporting structure, the

:con'rbination'ofrapairrof supportingmembers having pivot bearings thereon, a connection between the same arranged to swing upon said bearings relative to said members, said connection having at its opposite ends clamping aws engaging said bearings and movable one toward another, a lever pivoted upon one of said clamping jaws, and means connected with the other clamping aw and pivoted upon the lever to move said aws one toward another when the lever is moved to clamping position.

10. In a head rest supporting structure, the combination of a pair of supporting members, a tubular connection between said members adjustable upon one and on which the other member is mounted for adjustment, clamping parts for holding said connection and one of said members in different positions of adjustment, toggle means including a lever for operating said clamping parts and yieldable means acting to resist movement of the toggle means to service position and operating to re lease the clamping parts when the lever is moved to a predetermined release position.

11. In a head rest supporting structure, the combination of a pair of supporting members, a connection between said members adjustable upon one and on which the other member is mounted for adjustment, clamping parts for holding said connection and one of said members in different positions of adj ustment, relatively movable interengaging elements disposed within said connection for longitudinal movement thereof, one of which is connected with one of said clamping parts and an operating member pivotally connected with the other of said clamping parts and having a separate pivotal connection with one of said interengaging elements.

12. In a head rest supporting structure, the combination of a pair of supporting members, a connection between said members adjustable upon one and on which the other is mounted for adjustment, clamping parts on said connection arranged to cooperate with said supporting members to hold the connection and one of said supporting members in different positions of adjustment and toggle means for operating said clamping parts comprising relatively movable parts extending longitudinally within said connection and an additional part pivoted upon said connection and having a separate pivotal connection with one of said relatively movable parts.

13. In a head rest supporting structure, the combination of a pair of supporting members, a connection between said members adjustable upon one and on which the other is mounted for adjustment, clamping parts on said con nection arranged to cooperate with said supporting members to hold the connection and one of said supporting members in different positions of adjustment and toggle means for operating said clamping part-s including a pair of pivotally connected elements extending longitudinally of the connection between said clamping parts and an operating member for said elements comprising a hand lever pivoted at one point upon said connection and pivotally connected at another point with one of said elements.

14c. In a head rest supporting structure, the combination of a supporting bracket, a supporting member spaced therefrom, a connection between said bracket and said member adjustable upon the bracket and on which said member is mounted for adjustment, said cori nection including end portions forming clamping parts for holding it in adjusted position upon said member and said bracket, a lever pivoted upon one of the end portions and means interposed between the lever and the other end portion including an element having pivotal connect-ion with the lever and arranged to be moved by the lever whereby said clamping parts are moved to clamping position.

15. In a head rest supporting structure, the combination of a pair of supporting members, a connection between the same having a main body portion and clamping parts movable thereon, one for clamping the connection upon one of the said supporting members and the other for clamping the other supporting members upon the connection, alever pivoted upon one of the movable clamping parts and means operatively connected with the other clamping part including an element having pivotal connection with and arranged to be actuated by the lever, said means and said lever cooperating upon operation of the latter to move said clamping parts to clamping position.

16. In a head rest supporting structure, the combination of relatively adjustable supporting members connected one with another, one of said members having a securing part by which it is held in different positions of adjustment upon the other, operating b means for said securing part comprising a hand grip element pivoted upon one of said supporting members, and relatively movable cooperating devices interposed between said securing part and said hand grip element one of said devices having pivotal connection with the hand grip element at a point spaced from that at which said element is pivotally connected with its supporting member.

' 17. In a head rest supporting structure, the combination of relatively adjustable supporting members connected one with another, one of said members having a securing part by which it is held in different positions of adjustment upon the other, operating means for said securing part comprising a hand grip element pivoted upon one of said supporting members, a link extending longitudinally of the last mentioned supporting member and pivotally connected with said hand grip element, and a connection between the link and said securing part for holdingthe latter in securing position when the hand grip element is in a predetermined position of adjustment.

18. In a head rest supporting structure, the combination of relatively adjustable supporting members connected one with another, one of said members comprising a tubular column having a securing part at one end by which it is held in diiferent positions of adjustment upon the other member, and toggle means for moving and holding said part in securing position comprising connected elements placed end to end within the tubular column, one of said elements projecting from the end of the column opposite that having the securing part thereon, and a hand grip lever pivoted upon said column and having pivotal connection with the end of the element projecting from the column. 19. In a head rest supporting structure, the combination of spaced supporting members, a tubular column interposed between said members, said members having bearing portions j ournalled in the opposite ends of the column permitting relative adjustment'between the column and the supporting members, said column having relatively movable end clamping jaws engaging the bearing portions of said supporting members, a rod extending longitudinally within the column and connected at one end with one of said aws, a link connected with the other end of the rod and projecting through the other of said jaws, and a lever pivoted at one point upon the last mentioned jaw and pivotally connected at another point with the projecting portion of said link.

ADAM J. MAY. 

